It was another busy weekend in the Hopewell Valley Soccer Association. The results and recaps are below.
Division 4 Girls Rec League
Playing under the lights on Oct. 4, Hopewell’s Jack’s Nursery was home to the Hamilton Invaders, which was a rematch from the opening game of the season. Minutes into the first half, Hamilton had a breakaway down the middle with an opportunity to take an early lead, but instead saw Hopewell’s goalie get injured in a collision and be replaced by Piper Brant.
Midway through the half, Evie Lansing scored the first of her two goals of the game, off assists from Carly Brant, the latter assist being a nicely placed header. The defense of Jack’s Nursery was able to push back against the Invaders’ constant pressure, and the game ended in a 3-0 victory by Hopewell, as Brant added the final score in the second half.
On Sunday afternoon the Hamilton Crusaders hoped to settle the score against Hopewell’s Jack’s Nursery, as the last time they met Hopewell ended their undefeated season.
Hamilton opened the game by executing what looked to be a set play, passing numerous times without Hopewell touching the ball, and scored a goal within the first minute. Hopewell was able to settle down and come back to tie the game by the tenth minute when Evie Lansing scored the first of her two goals, from the right side of the field.
It was not long before Hopewell’s Amanda Flanders got in on the scoring, drilling one deep into the net, and Ayla Mauk did too. The Crusaders were able to move the ball very well, controlling possession for much of the second half, and scoring on a perfectly placed shot that dropped down just above the outstretched arms of Hopewell’s keeper. However, to secure the victory, Chelsea Kent scored off a throw in from Lilla Antal, ending the game at 5-2.
Division 3 Boys
On a beautiful fall morning, Capital Health defeated Ewing-Green in a close game by a score of 2-1. The first goal of the game was a left-footed blast by Aaron Nulman. A quick second goal was scored by Robert Taylor. Luke Hemmer and Adam Rise each played one half in goal, allowing just one combined score in the entire game.
Division 2 Boys
The Carnegie Cat Clinic won its Saturday game 2-1 against Modell’s. The first half of the game saw no score from either side, but Austin Yasher and Bodhi Brown played great offense, with John Troiano, Julian Blunt and Jackson Mooney backing up as midfielders. Liam Mazur, Nathan Blunt, Braiden Kelley and Robert Litz protected Taegan Levy in goal.
In the second half, the Cats ended the third quarter down one goal. In the final quarter, Jackson Mooney played goalie with a few spectacular saves. Off a penalty kick, Bodhi Brown scored the Cats’ first goal. In the exciting last few minutes of the game, John Troiano shot and scored a second goal, off an assist from Bodhi Brown, bringing the Cats to victory with a final score of 2-1.